City manager, attorney get good reviews; raises
The city of Cape Coral’s two top-paid professionals were given 3.25% raises following performance evaluations Wednesday.
City Attorney Aleksandr Boksner received a 3.25% raise, or $10,783.79, which will come in the form of deferred compensation. The increase will go into effect retroactive to the first full pay period after Aug. 13, because his the evaluation period ran from Aug. 13, 2025, to Aug. 13, 2026.
“I am not looking for any increase in base salary,” Boksner said. “I want it all to go to deferred comp. Ultimately, it will be a savings to the city because there is no 401 match, which is at 12%. I cannot touch that for another six years or so. Additionally, it will be a savings in a sense of payout for my leave time because my hourly rate is not increased, so it does result in a savings there.”
Councilmembers Dr. Derrick Donnell and Joe Kilraine voted against the motion made at the special meeting held in Cape Coral City’s Council’s conference room that was not streamed or telecast by the city.
“I really have seen a professional improvement in the legal capability in the city for the last year and a half to two years,” Kilraine said, adding that Boksner has upgraded everything he has done in the office.
“I feel very confident in the information provided and analysis done by our city attorney. His contribution is pretty much on point. We have come one hell of a distance upgrading our legal in the city. His performance on the city is extremely strong. He has done one hell of a job.”
Boksner’s overall evaluation from city council was 3.8 out of 5.
He received a collective 3.5 for legal representation, 3.8 for legal documents, 3.9 for clause and litigation, 4.5 for dependability and availability, 3.8 for interpersonal skills 3.8; 3.9 for professionalism, 3.6 for legal service budget 3.5 for communication, 4.0 for management of the legal office, and 3.8 for commitment to organization.
Boksner’s compensation going into Wednesday’s special meeting was $320,609.69.
City Manager Michael IIczyszyn received an overall rating of 3.9 out of 5.
He received a 4.0 for individual characteristics, 4.0 for professional skills and status, 3.6 for relations with elected members of governing body, 4.0 for policy execution, 3.9 for reporting, 3.9 for citizen relations, 3.9 for staffing, 4.2 for supervision, 3.8 for fiscal management and 3.6 for community.
Ilczyszyn’s evaluation is every 12 months with the “new year” starting on Sept. 19 each year.
“I cannot accomplish anything in this organization without their (staff) support, and without your support and direction,” he said.
As he did last year, Ilczyszyn said, as the leader of the organization, he was not asking for a raise.
“I don’t want one,” he said, adding he would like the money paid in one lump sum.
His total compensation is $350,180.80.
The council unanimously approved a motion that was based on the city manager requesting to deviate from his contract for this review of a one-time payment of $11,380.88, equivalent to a 3.25% raise, effective the first pay period after Sept. 19.
Donnell said he has not seen the level of expertise that IIczyszyn has provided in a while.
He also received kudos from other board members.
“Mike, I think you have done a great job,” Mayor John Gunter said. “The amount of knowledge that you have in our city is incredible.”
“Being around as long as he has, he learned from the ground up. There is no one that can do the job as well as he has done,” Councilmember Bill Steinke said.